Bucs' Tanard Jackson suspended for one year
Tanard Jackson, the fourth-year safety of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been suspended for a minimum of one year without pay for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
This is Jackson's second enforced absence of his young career, he was suspended for four games in 2009 for the same offense.
"Obviously, it's frustrating and disappointing for everybody," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said.
Jackson, the first Buc to ever start every game on defence in his first two seasons, is an important part of the Bucs defence. In 2009, despite the four game suspension, Jackson finished the season with five interceptions in just 12 starts. He has recorded
eight tackles in two games this season.
"Tanard is a talented young man whom we hope is able to use this year to put his troubles behind him and ultimately return a stronger man and player," Dominik said. "It's up to Tanard whether the team and our fans eventually realize his considerable promise."
It's surprising that Jackson put himself in this position, given his comments after coming back from his last suspension.
"I could sit here and go on forever as to how much I learned," he said last October. "The main thing is that this is what I love to do, this is what I'm blessed to do.
"I definitely felt I let my team down," Jackson added at the time. "I disappointed myself, but your actions affect others around you, and that's one thing that hit home."
The Bucs will have to move on at the position, with Jackson's likely replacement at free safety will be fourth-year man Sabby Spiscitelli, who lost out on the strong safety position in training camp. The Bucs alos have rookie Cody Grimm and third-year pro
Cory Lynch to choose from.
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